Tomorrow at Grace Bible we’ll look at John 8:1-11. This passage is controversial and often misused, but it points us to a rich, timeless truth about our Savior and serves as an example for each of us.

Hope to see you all at 10:45am!

Click the link below to catch up on what’s going with our church family, Grace Bible Fellowship!

GRACE NOTES JAN 2016

…for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 1Tim4:7

As I look ahead to 2016, I need to get in better shape. I played some pickup basketball on Christmas day and it about killed me. I use to jog a lot and I’ve fallen out of the habit. I need to quit eating a 4th meal at 9:30pm–it’s like there’s an actual Blue “Bell” that rings every night and beckons me to eat! Also, sometimes my sleep patterns are absurd. I continue to tell myself that sleep is overrated, but it’s not. People need sleep! I plan to make better health choices in 2016. Health choices are important and should not be neglected. But bodily training, physical health is not what I need most*. The thing I need to take care of most this year and every year, is not my body, but my soul. As Paul told Timothy godliness is essential today and will carry over into eternity.

As you and look toward a new year, we should ask, how can I experience SPIRITUAL GROWTH in 2016? Spiritual disciplines are VERY important and should not be neglected. 

Here are some helpful resources that can foster your growth in godliness in 2016:

What Are Spiritual Disciplines — a great introduction to spiritual disciplines and their value.

A great Bible reading plan. Print this off, check the boxes, and track your progress. Follow this link.

Resolved: To Read the Bible. Great post on the WHY and HOW of a journey in the Word. (reading plans included)

10 Questions To Ask New Years Resolutions – a guide to keeping our desires for change focused on God.

 

I LOVE Tuesday mornings. Bet you don’t hear a lot of people say that do you? Haha..Each Tuesday morning at 6am I meet with a group of men for Bible study. Just a pot of coffee, a group of men, and God’s Word for one hour. Doesn’t sound like much, but I can’t tell you what a difference it makes in my life.

I’d like to invite men of all ages, at all different levels of biblical knowledge to join us on Tuesday mornings at 6am at Grace Bible, south hallway classroom. This would be a great way to start the new year!

Next Tuesday, January 5th, we’re starting a new study using Tony Evan’s book Kingdom Man as a guide. If you can get the book, great. We’ll cover ch 1 next Tuesday. If not, come anyway. The book is arranged by topic and you’ll benefit greatly from the teaching and discussion. The best thing you can bring is a Bible. My preference, a real, physical Bible, not your phone–we live busy lives, It’s hard to resist the temptation check a few emails and get started on your day when you have a phone in your hand. Give this hour to the Lord and the men in the group. If you don’t have a Bible, let me know! I’d be more than happy to get you one myself.

Here’s a summary of Tony Evan’s book. You can buy it at Amazon, or pick it up at Lifeway or Mardell Christian stores.

When a man follows the principles of biblical manhood, those around him benefit from his leadership and care. Kingdom Man challenges and equips men to fully understand their position under God as well as their position over what God has given them. The biblical definition of a man is one who has learned to operate under the authority of Jesus Christ while carrying out responsible and legitimate leadership within the sphere of influence that God has placed him. Kingdom Man provides concepts men can follow that will help them to actively pursue ways to maximize and develop the character qualities of biblical manhood in their lives.

Sounds good, hu? Hope to see y’all there!

I first read the following guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences in a post by John Piper a few years ago when he shared them with pastoral staff. They certainly apply there, but also apply well to any Christian relationship. As Christians, we have somewhere around 35 “One Another’s” (love one another, bear one another’s burdens, encourage one another, etc) that we are called to in Scripture.  Christian community is not optional, it’s commanded. Therefore we need guidelines on how to navigate relationships biblically. The following are very helpful.

Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences

1. Let’s avoid gossiping.

The New Testament warns against gossiping. The Greek word translated “gossip” means whisper or whisperer. In other words, the focus is not on the falsehood of the word but on the fact that it needs to be surreptitious. It is not open and candid and forthright. It has darkness about it. It does not operate in the light of love. It is not aiming at healing. It strokes the ego’s desire to be seen as right without playing by the rules of love.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find…that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. (2 Corinthians 12:20)

2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.

The church in Corinth was deeply flawed. But Paul found reason to thank God for them because of “the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The most flawed pastor on this staff—and we are all flawed—is a work of grace. It honors Christ, and keeps criticism in perspective, to see it and say it often.

3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.

The point is not that we will always agree on everything, especially the practical application of shared principles. Paul’s word in Romans 12:18 is, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It may not be possible, but we should try.

4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.

When Paul deals with disagreement in Romans 14, one of the things he appeals to is that those with opposite practical convictions have identical heart-motives. “The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (Romans 14:6). Christ-honoring passions, Paul says, can unite us in spite of differences of application.

5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16)

To mention a few things we hold in common:…the sovereignty of God, the supremacy of his glory in all things, the majesty and meekness of Christ, the all-sufficiency of his saving work, the precious and very great promises summed up in Romans 8:28 and 8:32, the value and sweetness of the Bible, the power and patience of the Holy Spirit in transforming us, the hope of glory…

6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you…. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us.(Ephesians 4:32–5:2)

“The one who is forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). In other words, think more of your own sins and how amazing it is that God saved you than you do about the other person’s flaws.

*Originally posted to Desiring God, April 2009

This morning at Grace Bible we looked at 5 Assurances and supporting Bible verses. These 5 truths have helped me so much in my spiritual growth as I was first introduced to them in a Navigators study several years ago. My hope and prayer for my church family is that 2016 will be a year marked by ASSURANCE and HOPE rather than fear and anxiety. I believe careful and prayerful reading of these verses as well as memorizing them will be very helpful!

1. Assurance of Salvation: 1 John 5:11,12

And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

2. Assurance of Answered Prayer: John 16:24

Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.

3. Assurance of Victory: 1 Corinthians 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

4. Assurance of Forgiveness: 1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

5. Assurance of Guidance: Proverbs 3:5,6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

 

My wife Casey got me this Bible for Christmas. I guess I dropped a pretty good hint when I recommended all the ladies in our church buy it for their husbands! I already had the kindle version, that I downloaded at a really good price when it first came out, but I LOVE having the hard copy. I’m kinda old school on that, especially when it comes to the Bible. I have Bible apps I use, but when I really want to get serious about reading God’s Word, I don’t want to read it on the same device that does EVERYTHING else–too many distractions/possibilities for distraction.  I like a Bible with actual pages I can turn. Crazy, hu?

This men’s devotional Bible is set apart because of it’s quality devotions and the ‘Articles and Resources’ section, pictured above.  This is section is arranged by topic. The writings are relevant to men, short, and sweet.

Men if you have an amazon gift card your wanting to use, or are just looking for a good Bible/devotional Bible. Check it out:

ESV MEN’S DEVOTIONAL BIBLE

Yesterday I posted that I could imagine the Tom Petty song “I Won’t Back Down” playing in the background as I read Pastor Tommy Nelson’s letter to his church after Denton Bible received a bomb threat to their Christmas Eve service. This morning I read this headline from NBC5 in Dallas:

“Denton Pastor: Church Not Backing Down in Face of Threats”

Here’s a quote from pastor Nelson:”We’re not going to let evil commandeer our lives. We’re going to stand in the face of it. And if we die, then we die. But we don’t go on in our lives, cowering at the threat of evil…”

Continuing prayers for DBC. And for all who choose to live their lives with the boldness of Christ.

Yesterday I posted and asked for prayers after one of the greatest influences in my life and ministry, Denton Bible Church, received a bomb threat to their Christmas Eve Service. Below is pastor Tommy Nelson’s letter to his church after the threat was made. Classic Tommy Nelson–he’s a man of grace, but also a man of intestinal fortitude. In my weird imagination, somehow I hear Tom Petty’s song “I Wont Back Down” playing in the background as I read this 🙂 Check it out…

Y’all,

Take a knee.

You’ve probably heard by this time if you watch the news that we have had our first gen-u-ine bomb threat…

We don’t yield to fear. We are Christians.  We rejoice to be counted “worthy to suffer for His name’s sake.” Death and evil are conquered for us and our God sits supremely on the throne.  If it breathes we do not fear it.  But like Nehemiah in Nehemiah 4 we will build with a sword in one hand and a trowel in the other, with others on the watch.  We shall be vigilant until evil loses heart.  But stop the work? Who do men think we are?  “Should a man such as I flee?!”

So, nothing changes.  Come on if you planned to do so.  But, make things simple by not bringing a backpack, a package, or some big bulky anything, lest a choir member frisk you or strip search you. Nothing kills the Christmas spirit quicker.

Be praying that God be glorified. See ya.

Tommy

A letter was sent to Denton Bible Church with a bomb threat to their Christmas Eve service. The story is developing and the limited details can be read here: http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2015/12/21/denton-church-threatened/

Denton Bible has helped me in my spiritual growth more than any other church or organization. The people of Denton Bible are my friends. In Christ, they’re my brothers and sisters. For me it’s hard to imagine, why someone would want to bring harm to this church. But Jesus told us that we have an adversary who seeks to “steal, kill, and destroy” (Jn10:10). He also told us that in this life we will have tribulation, but to take heart, because he has overcome this world (Jn 16:33).

Please join me and countless others in praying for DBC. Pray for their safety. Pray for their resolve to keep teaching the Truth and equipping the Saints. Pray for justice for the coward who sent the threat. Pray.